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Saturday, June 20, 2015

Earlier this month we hosted our grandson’s sixth birthday
party. It was an
old fashioned backyard party.I am more
convinced than ever that even today this is the best kind of birthday party.Kids have lots of organized activities and not enough free time to just be themselves and naturally
creative.The parents also enjoyed the
ability to be outside and social with other adults rather than standing in the
back watching the organized activities.Here how the day went:

Zach helped bake and decorate his TMNT Birthday Cake

The party had a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle theme’ and Zach
came early to help bake and decorate the cake.Pillsbury now has prepared frosting in colors including “TMNT Green.”Zach was proud of this homemade cake.Just like his Mom, he wanted a homemade cake rather
than a store bought one.

When the party goers arrived, they immediately got involved
with free play.The yard still has the
swings that my kids used and a new addition is the Little Tikes Alligator
seesaw hand-me-down from my niece.The
small plastic pool filled with small plastic balls completed the setup.Everyone got a Ninja Turtle mask when they
arrived so they could get in character if they chose to.

About half the kids were girls so we set up a table with
some fancy beads to make jewelry for anyone who preferred that to running
around and sure enough that was a popular activity too. Some of the boys were interested too.

Pop was at the grill and cooked hot dogs and hamburgers for
the kids and adults too.Everybody was
ready for lunch when it was ready.

After lunch there was more free play and party games.The games were very popular.There was “Pin the Pizza on TMNT
Michaelangelo” which is an updated version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey and a
ring toss.

Pin the Pizza on TMNT
Michaelangelo - What great fun!

Finally it was time to sing Happy Birthday and have the
cake.

The kids chose their favorite TMNT character mask

Some of Zach’s fans gave him a hug before they left.I don’t have pictures of the goody bags but
they were TMNT cups (reuseable) with favors in them.

Yes, this was a lot more work than taking 13 kindergarteners
(plus a few siblings) to an organized party place.But it was also a lot more fun for all. Definitely worth it - I highly recommend it.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

If you follow The Grandma Chronicles on Facebook (click to
go to page and like now) you know that I re-post posts by No Kid Hungry. No Kid
Hungry is a major campaign to provide meals to children by the national Share
Our Strength organization – one of my favorite charities.This is especially important this time of
year because so many kids depend on meals they receive at school and during
summer vacation their access to regular meals is in jeopardy.No Kid Hungry sponsors a major summer feeding program
to provide thousands of kids food security during the summer. I hate to think of any child being hungry during the summer vacation - that just shouldn't happen.

The No Kid Hungry Chef's Cycle is a huge event coming up that you can to be
part of. You can find out all the details here - http://chefscycle.org/. Nearly 50 chefs and restaurant industry professionals are riding
bikes 300 miles to raise funds and awareness for No Kid Hungry. There will
actually be two 300 mile bike rides and you can sponsor an individual rider for
either event. The East Coast ride will be from New York to Washington, DC on t
June 7-9 and the West Coast ride is from Santa Barbara to San Diego on June
14-16.

Monday, May 11, 2015

If it seems like it has been quiet here at The Grandma
Chronicles recently it has been because I was on vacation in France – Paris
(Just briefly), Provence and the French Riviera.I traveled with a women’s travel group – Women Traveling Together
– since my husband was not interested in this trip. I had a great time and
enjoyed all of it.Here are some
pictures and highlights.

We visited a number of small towns with historical things to
see span whole different periods of history.The Romans came to Provence and Cote d’Azur (Riviera) in 121 BC and
stayed for 500 years.You can see a
coliseum,columns and ruins of Roman
baths still standing.Here are some of
my favorite pictures from that period.

During that middle ages, Counts and Knights ruled and built
fortified castles usually on hillsides and many small towns and villages still
existing today grew up around them.You
can visit castles, monestaries, old churches and more from this timeframe
throughout the region.

Avignon was the home of popes in the 1300s and was owned by
the papacy until the French Revolution.It is a walled city – from medieval times – and has the famous Popes’
Palace.It was definitely something to walk
through the building which is intact and marvel at the sophistication and size of
the construction.Today Avignon is a
busy city with 12,000 people living inside the walls and 78,000 living
outside.The first floor of many
buildings have become modern stores, banks, restaurants and cafes and the facades
of the upper portions remain intact while modernized inside for modern
inhabitation.Avignon –and surrounding area
– was owned by the Papacy and never part of the French kingdom.They do think of themselves as a separate
place that does not have the French kingdom in its history. For example there
are no Fleur-de-lis as this was originally associated with the French kingdom
and Provence does not all associate itself with that time in French history.In Paris and parts of northern france wyou
will still see a lot of Fleur-de-lis decoration.

There is the history associated with the French Revolution –
this is when Provence became part of France.The church was outlawed in this time and many churches became government
buildings and today some of them are schools, hospitals and civic
buildings.This monestary was bought by
one owner and given back to the monks many years later when the church was able
to re-establish itself in France.

One of the most interesting facets of Provence is that is is
so beautiful and inspired so many well known artists.Arles was home to Van Gogh and they have pictures
of his paintings at several of the scenes he painted that are still there – here
are two of them.

Cezanne painted the beautiful landscape and we visited a
church with three Reubens.The sculpture
everywhere is just gorgeous.If you are
interested in art, you will definitely appreciate a trip to Provence.

We ended our tour with a visit to Cannes and Nice on the
Mediterranean sea.In these bustling
towns historical old towns and modern cities exist coherently side by side as if
neither was out of place.There is a continuum
of time that seems to work just fine.

Outside the hall where the Cannes Film Festival is held

If you stay on your yacht you can just walk over the the Cannes Film Festival

Approaching Nice

Train Station in Nice

Sculpture in Nice Main Square

Sculpture in Nice Main Square

In all of these places the food is just indescribable.The food is grown locally, the fish is caught
locally and everything is farm fresh and prepared to be a visual delight.One of the things I enjoyed most on this trip
was the many times I just sat at an outdoor café and enjoyed lunch or dinner on
a picturesque small “rue” and watched life go by.

Market Day in Grasse

The trips included a visit to an olive farm, winery, lavender factory and perfume factory.

Meet the winemaker

And this is the picture of my grandson that went with me everywhere on the trip.:

Will I return? Oh yes
– but I will choose one or two places to visit and just appreciate the local
culture.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Usually if I have a giveaway, I just have an update on top
of the blog with the winner’s first name and notice that the giveaway is
closed.However, the responses to the 3
Raggedy Ann and Andy 100th Anniversary Doll giveaway garnered so
many personal stories and stories of lifetime interest in Raggedy Ann that I
just had to write another article about the winner and the blog comments
about this giveaway.

The winner of the dolls is Greta Eber. This was Greta’s comment on my
blog: “I have been collecting Raggedy Ann since I was 2 years old and now as a
stay at home mom of 4, I make Raggedy Anns for friends and fellow collectors.
Love hearing from other collectors! Thanks!”

I asked Greta if she would tell us a little bit about her history
with Raggedy Ann for this post. Here is what Greta
had to say:

“I received my first Raggedy Ann for my 2nd
birthday. My mom had a little lady from church make her for me and I took
"Aggie" everywhere I went. When I wore the first doll out, the
lady made me a second doll and eventually a 3rd. I still have my original
homemade girls. I got my first "store bought" Ann when I was 6
and she has been to college with me and even went to the hospital when I had
all 4 of my kids. Over the years, I've picked up Raggedy Anns here and
there and have had many dolls given to me. Last year I made my first ever
Raggedy Ann and took her to the Raggedy Rally in Arcola, IL. Since then
I've made around 20 Raggedy Anns and Andys and some Camels. I love that
Raggedy Ann is soft, durable, and perfect for cuddling. My daughter is
now starting to enjoy Raggedy Ann and she will be going to the Rally with me
this year in June.”

Here is Greta with her first Raggedy Ann doll - Isn't she cute?

I wonder if Greta and her daughter will be bringing any new
Raggedy Anns with them?I had no idea - This
is just remarkable.I am so delighted
that Greta won the dolls.Greta blogs
about her family at gretasmonoblog.blogspot.com and she has lots to share as the
mother of 4.

Kathy Ellis left a comment on my facebook page announcing this year's Raggedy Ann Rally with a huge celebration for her 100th anniversary. Learn more here. And if you go, please post pictures here and on my facebook page for all to enjoy.

To tell the truth – I have never felt this way with ANY
giveaway – but I wish I had a hundred to give away – I know that all would have
found wonderful homes with everyone who left a comment.

This post brought back many happy memories described by
commenters.They also had handmade
dolls, Raggedy Ann bedspreads, and Halloween costumes.Some posters still have their dolls and would
like to be able to give one to a daughter or granddaughter.

Here are some of the touching comments made on the original
giveaway post:

Heather said, “Thank you for this beautiful background and
the giveaway. My mom would love these. She is a military wife (my dad is now
retired) and I am also now a proud military wife. Throughout all of our moves,
somewhere my mom lost her beloved Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. The stars and
stripe theme would be meaningful and my parents anniversary party is coming up
in two weeks. I could not imagine adding this to the gift list! :)”

Aliza said, “I remember when I was little (in the 80's)
everyone loved Raggedy Ann. My aunts made me a twin blanket that has Raggedy
Ann and Raggedy Andy and a pillowcase to match. To this day I have them and use
them on my bed still. It brings back such good memories of my loving family.”

Amy said, “Thank you for this wonderful giveaway! When I was
younger my mum used to read us kids raggedy anne stories every night before
bed. She made my childhood wonderful!”

Teresa said, “I took my daughter to see the Raggedy Ann
& Andy Museum in Arcola, Illinois when we were visiting family. That was
about 6 or 7 years ago. I think it is closed now. The granddaughter of the
creator of the dolls, Joni signed a Raggedy Ann doll for my daughter. I
remember my Raggedy Ann I had as a child.”

Ricci said, “OMG! Seeing this post brought back a lot of
memories! I had a Raggedy Ann and Andy doll set that I loved to pieces! I would
love to win this for my daughter!”

Thanks to everyone who commented on the Raggedy Ann giveaway
post.I hope it made you smile and
remind you of your own experience.Even
if you didn’t win you can still buy an anniversary doll or treasury of stories
book.See the links below.

About Me

I am a first time grandmother and this blog highlights my perspective as a grandmother and mother. I try to descibe our family interactions and reactions as we go through this new stage in life. I am also doing product reviews in the genre of the mommy bloggers and enjoying my new relationship with that group also. I love being a grandmother and that comes through I hope in every post.

I blog for my business at marionconwaynonprofitconsultant.blogspot.com and I enjoy blogging so much I decided to start this blog about grandmothering. Here it is - The Grandma Chronicles - as I am so excited to be on this wonderful life adventure.